KUNSAN AIR BASE, Republic of Korea -- The 8th Fighter Wing’s air traffic controllers conducted joint helicopter landing zone operations training with Marine Medium Tilt Rotor Squadron (VMM) 165 on Sept. 5, 2024.
Newly qualified landing zone controllers and safety officers from the 8th Operational Support Squadron established designated daytime and nighttime landing zones to direct U.S. Marine pilots from non-standard locations on the airfield, increasing operational robustness and flexibility. The joint training highlights the base’s capability to act as a hub for acceptance of and coordination among follow-on forces during contingency operations.
In addition, approximately 250 marines assigned to VMM 165 departed the U.S.S. Boxer with MV-B22s Ospreys, AH-1Z Viper and UH-1Y Venom helicopters in August for unit-level training with Republic of Korea counterparts in the 1st ROK Marine Division, and providing the 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit an opportunity to conduct sustainment training to ensure readiness as a crisis response force while forward deployed.
Kunsan regularly maintains interoperability with other services and branches to ensure seamless joint operations, enhance strategic coordination, and effectively respond to emerging threats or contingencies.